Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Swine Flu?
Swine Flu is a respiratory disease caused by a virus which is transmitted from an infected to a healthy person by droplets as a result of sneezing or coughing.

2. How long is the incubation period of the Swine Flu virus?
The incubation period of the Swine Flu virus infection can extend from one to Seven days.

3. What does incubation period mean?
Incubation period is the first day of infection with the virus and the appearance of symptoms.

4. When can a person infected with the Swine Flu virus infect others?
The person infected with the Swine Flu virus can infect others from the day before the appearance of symptoms.

5. What are the symptoms of swine flu?
The symptoms of Swine Flu include fever with a temperature higher than (38 degrees C)., running nose, sore throat, muscle pain and general fatigue .These symptoms are sometimes accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting .

6. What is the difference between Seasonal Flu and Swine Flu?
There is no difference between the symptoms of Seasonal Flu and Swine Flu although they are caused by two different viruses..

7. If a person suspects that he/she has Swine Flu ,is it necessary to do a laboratory test to make sure whether he/she is infected or not ?
There is no need to do a laboratory test in the absence of symptoms suggestive of the disease,

8. How can a person protect oneself against Swine Flu?
By washing the hands with soap and water regularly specially after touching dirty surfaces.

9. What should the person do if soap and water are not available?
In this case, a person can use antiseptic Gels which are available in most supermarkets.

10. What is the proper way to use the antiseptic Gel?
By applying the Gel in the palm of the hands and then rub it thoroughly all over the hands until it dries.

11. Is there a proper way of washing the hands?
Yes: the hands must be washed thoroughly, palms ,back and between the fingers .It is also important to wash the wrists and the forearms and clean the finger nails. The hands must then be dried with a disposable towel or paper napkin that has not been used before.

12. What shall a person do if there is a patient suffering from Swine Flu in the house?
It is very important to follow these advice strictly if a patient is a member of the household: - Reserve a special well ventilated room for the patient, - Limit visits to the patient by family and friends to minimum, - Provide a telephone for personal use of the patient, - Ensure giving his/her medication on time and as prescribed by the Physician, -Wear a mask and gloves on entering the patient's room and discard them immediately after use , - Wash the hands with soap and water immediately after leaving the patient's room, - Remind the patient regularly that he/she will soon get better .

13. Can the patient infect others after receiving the treatment and recovers?
The patient cannot infect others after one day from completing the prescribed Course of treatment.

14. Does the person need any laboratory tests to confirm that he/she has recovered completely
No: there is no need for any further tests .It is enough to follow the advise of Physician.

15. Can the person be infected again with the same virus after recovery?
No; because once infected, the patient develops natural immunity which will protect him/her against being infected again with the same virus.

16. Can a person upon returning from travel, be issued with a certificate to prove that he/she is free of the disease?
The ministry of health does not require such a certificate.

17. What should a mother who is breast-feeding and suffering from the disease do to protect her baby from the infection?
She should: - wear a mask and turn her face the other way while breast-feeding her baby, - wash her hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching the baby,

18. Can a pregnant woman who contracted the disease receive anti-viral medication?
Yes: but under the supervision of her physician.

19. Can one take the anti-viral medication to prevent being infected?
The anti-viral medication can be used for prevention of the infection in some cases but strictly under the supervision of the physician.

20. How long can the virus live outside the human body?
The virus can live from one to eight hours outside the human body.

21. Is there an effective vaccine available at present which protects against the disease?
A vaccine is being manufactured at present and will be available in October.

22. Can the patient with swine flu be cured without medical treatment?
Yes: some cases are cured without medical treatment because of their strong immunity against the virus.

23. Will the vaccine, when it is ready, be available to everybody?
Yes: but priority will be given to those at higher risk of becoming infected.

24. Is it advisable to buy the antiviral medicine from the pharmacy and use it if the person suffers from flu- like symptoms?
No; the medicine must be taken ONLY when prescribed by a physician for fear of side effects.

25. What are the complications of Swine Flu?
Swine flu can have complications such as acute Pneumonia – Acute bronchitis asthma and can even lead to death.

26. Should the antiviral medicine be given to all swine flu patients?
The policy in the UAE is to give the treatment to all swine flu patients.

27. Is it advisable to perform Haj or Umra this year?
The ministry of health advises against that for elderly people, children, pregnant women and high risk persons such as those with chronic diseases like heart disease, Cancer and immunity related diseases.

28. What is the type of masks that should be used and for how long will such masks be suitable for use?
Surgical masks can be used, but ONLY for four hours.

29. Should pilgrims take the antiviral medicine as a preventive measure before leaving to perform Hajj?
NO, the antiviral medicine should ONLY be given to persons with Flu-like symptoms during the Hajj season and only after the advice of the physician.

30. What should pilgrims with Flu like symptoms or who came in contact with a Swine Flu patient do?
They should inform the doctor in charge of the pilgrim's clinic immediately for advice and immediate health care.

31. Will there be a qualified medical team accompanying pilgrims from UAE?
Yes: The Ministry of Health provides a qualified medical team to deal with this and other health problems.

32. If seasonal Flu kills more people than Swine Flu; Why is swine flu is given all that importance?
- Because swine flu is caused by a new virus for which humans have no natural immunity. - The virus also spreads quickly and could change its genes and become more serious and lead to new waves of the pandemic in the future. - More over, the vaccine against swine flu is not yet available.

33. Can the mask be used more than once?
Surgical masks can be used once only and for 4 hours, but the N95 masks can be used for a long time.

34. Is it advisable to use the mask in the airplane?
Only if the person has flu like symptoms or sitting next to a passenger with flu like symptoms.

35. Why are persons with chronic diseases as heart diseases, diabetes, cancer and asthma are at higher risk of swine flu?
Because the immune systems of these patients are already weakened by their chronic conditions and therefore if they become infected with the swine flu virus they are more likely to develop severe complications, which may lead to death.

36. Is there treatment for children?
Yes; Treatment is available for all ages.

37. What is the disinfectant that could be used to disinfect surfaces?
Disinfectants such as dettol, and detergents such as chlorex. ( 2ml of the detergent to be added to 100ml of water).

38. Can the swine flu virus be transmitted in swimming pools?
No; because chlorine is used in swimming pools water.

39. Where can one get accurate information about swine flu?
- Only from official departments and one should not listen to rumors. - You can also get information through the hotline (800358) or visiting the ministry of health website at: http://www.moh.gov.aeً.

40. Does swine flu virus spread through central air-conditioning?
No.

41. Does swine flu virus spread by air?
No; because it is only found in droplets.

42. Does the virus spread by foods and drinks?
No.

43. Why is it important to isolate the patient?
To limit infecting others and spreading the infection.

44. How long does it take to get laboratory results to confirm the infection with swine flu virus?
24 - 48 hours.

45. Does infection with the swine flu virus affect marital relationship?
Unless one of the couples is infected, and in this case he/she should avoid any close contact, as the virus spreads by droplets from the respiratory system.

46. If there is a patient in the house and only one bathroom, what should the family do?
- Disinfect the bathroom and all the surfaces regularly and every time the patient uses the bathroom. Use masks and gloves while cleaning the bathroom, discard them properly and wash the hands immediately. - Do not use the towels used by the patient. - Use disposable paper napkins and discard immediately after use.

47. Does the virus spread through smoking "Shisha" in coffee shops?
Yes; because it is a respiratory disease and the sputum of the infected person contains the virus . Even if a new plastic mouth piece is used, it does not prevent being infected because the whole Shisha become contaminated once used by an infected person.

48. Does the normal Atmospheric temperature kill the virus?
No; because the virus is killed only at a temperature of 70 C.

49. Are there any restrictions on travel?
No; As long as the traveler follows the advise on health precautions.

50. Are there consultation and treatment fees?
No; the ministry of health provides the consultation and treatment free of charge.

51. Is swine flu a killer disease?
Yes; but the death rate is very low and does not exceed eight deaths per thousand infected persons.

52. Are there any protective precautions to be taken when visiting crowded places such as shopping malls, theaters and cinemas?
It is better to avoid or limit visits to such places, but when visiting these places one has to follow the advice on personal cleanliness like washing the hand with soap and water or disinfectant gels.

53. Is there any relationship between swine flu and bird's flu?
No; They are caused by different virus.

54. Is it advisable to buy the antiviral medicine from unreliable places or through the internet?
No.

55. Is it advisable to wash the patient's cloths with the cloths of the rest of family?
Yes; provided the patients cloths are not tampered with before washing.

56. Is the swine flu virus transmitted through blood transfusion?
No; but it is advisable not to use the blood of an infected person for transfusion.

57. Is the swine flu virus transmitted by a mosquito bite?
No.

58. What shall I do if a student in my son's school gets infected?
You must follow the advice of the school and ministry of health in this regard.

59. Is the disease transmitted through the dentist's equipments?
No; because these equipments are always sterilized before use.

60. Why does the number of swine flu cases increase during autumn and winter?
Because the low temperature during autumn and winter provide a suitable environment for the viruses to increase and be easily transmitted from one person to the other.


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